On December 12th in Hanoi, within the framework of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival TECHFEST Vietnam 2025, the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (NATEC), the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Center (NSSC) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Development Management Research (MSD - United Way Vietnam) - Head of the Open Social Innovation Community, organized the workshop "Open Social Innovation - Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Entire Population."
The workshop attracted delegates representing government agencies, embassies and international organizations, businesses, universities, startups, investors, and social organizations. This diverse presence demonstrates the need to link resources and perspectives among stakeholders, thereby forming an open, sustainable, and widely disseminated innovation ecosystem.
Open innovation for rapid and sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), emphasized the crucial role of open innovation in the national development process.
Mr. Quat emphasized the role of open innovation in helping Vietnam overcome growth and social challenges. Using the image of Saint Giong as the symbol for TECHFEST Vietnam 2025, he argued that the spirit of growth through community collaboration is the inspiration for today's startup ecosystem.
According to him, Vietnam is facing many problems such as the middle-income trap, population aging, environmental pollution, and pressure in megacities. The coordinated implementation of the Open Social Innovation Community within the framework of TECHFEST 2025 is expected to bring new technological solutions, creating practical socio-economic value for many community groups.
Mr. Pham Hong Quat affirmed that the Department will continue to cooperate with MSD United Way Vietnam, the Open Society Innovation Community, and associations to contribute to promoting rapid, sustainable development and moving towards green and smart cities.
At the event, Ambassador Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam, recognized open social innovation as a crucial bridge between economic development and community welfare.
He shared that the Netherlands highly appreciates Vietnam's efforts in promoting nationwide innovation and digital transformation, considering them as driving forces for creating substantive changes in the digital age.
According to him, the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation requires that technology must be closely linked to people, ensuring that no one is left behind.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of a people-centered approach, ensuring equal access to digital resources for all groups in society, including youth, women, and vulnerable communities.
He argued that innovation can only be achieved in an open society where people have the freedom to experience and explore. Ambassador Kees van Baar affirmed that the relationship between the Netherlands and Vietnam is not limited to trade but is a partnership of shared values, and expressed his commitment to continue working alongside Vietnam in initiatives to promote innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.
What needs to be done to foster an innovation ecosystem?
Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, Director of MSD United Way Vietnam, emphasized that for the ecosystem to truly develop sustainably, Vietnam needs to focus on building the pillars of INNOVATION – OPENNESS – CONNECTIVITY – INCLUSION and FLYING UP.
Ms. Linh stated that open social innovation has become an inevitable trend worldwide, as it is the most effective approach to addressing complex challenges such as inequality, climate change, and rapid urbanization.
From a business perspective, Mr. Sun Sukkun, Director of Shinhan Square Bridge, Shinhan Financial Group's Hope Foundation, shared insights into the open social innovation model that Shinhan Group has developed in Korea and expanded to Vietnam since 2021.
He emphasized that open communication is crucial for effective operation, especially when startups work with large businesses, where the mentoring team plays a connecting role and removes barriers. Mr. Sun Sukkun argued that open social innovation should not only aim for economic value but also create social value, aligning with ESG goals and overall impact. He expressed his desire to continue expanding cooperation and called for the joint efforts of all stakeholders in the future.
Also at the program, MSD United Way Vietnam - Head of the TECHFEST Social Open Innovation Community - officially introduced the SOAR (Social Open Innovation for All Resilience) initiative, a Social Open Innovation model that promotes a responsible collaborative ecosystem in Vietnam. SOAR is built on four pillars.
Firstly, it involves promoting sustainable business models and solutions: optimizing business models and social-environmental impacts; and integrating ESG principles into the growth and innovation of startups.
Secondly, co-creation with the community: Co-design - co-implement - utilize Community Data (CGD) for continuous improvement, ensuring the solution accurately reflects the needs and experiences of the people.
Thirdly, promote open innovation in a win-win-win model: Connecting the challenges of businesses, investors, social organizations, and the community with innovative solutions; ensuring that startups, businesses/investors, and the community all benefit.
Finally, social impact assessment and measurement: Develop a transparent impact measurement system, track social value created, ESG indicators, and systemic change.
The opinions, experiences, and suggestions recorded at the Workshop will serve as an important foundation for TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 to continue promoting an open social innovation ecosystem, aiming for sustainable, inclusive values and the participation of the entire population in the national innovation journey.
The workshop is also expected to become a key annual event of TECHFEST Vietnam, thereby maintaining a space for in-depth dialogue between management agencies, businesses, universities, social organizations, and the practice community. Establishing this regular meeting mechanism helps the ecosystem continuously update trends, share effective models, and propose policy directions, while strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation to promote open social innovation initiatives serving sustainable development.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/doi-moi-sang-tao-mo-xa-hoi-thuc-day-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-toan-dan-post1082692.vnp
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